#tvg

********

The night wasn’t over yet, but Yunho and Mingi already well fed. They stroll through the city, aimlessly. “Urghhh I can’t remember the last time I fed on two.” groans Mingi, rubbing his tummy in satisfaction “I hope I won’t get a tummy ache from having that much.”

Yunho looks over at him, certainly skeptical “A tummy-ache…”

“Yeah-” he shrugs “Could be.”

His friend narrows his eyes in a disagreeing manner, before thy both chuckle it off.

They keep walking through the city; Passing through streets of many and partly drunk people, taking in their environment with curiosity, that still remains even after centuries on this earth. It’s the familiarity of humanity. The same kind of giggling, the gossip people whisper to another or loudly discuss without any care-; The same worries, the same wishes, yearnings and hopes. The world might look different: Buildings, technology, language, the way people dress, whichever pet and bread is trendy… But humans, will always stay the same. No matter how many generations have passed. The human race does not change.

“I guess I owe Yeosang a ‘Thank You’, for leaving another meal for me tonight.” drops Mingi suddenly and not so subtly as they reach the Han river. He knows something is spinning on his friends mind, but even after centuries, he is still not able to smoothly start a conversation about something specific. But that’s also part of his charm. Which is why Yunho just smiles “Yeah I think you do.” before eventually saying what’s been spinning on his mind the whole time. “I hope he found and actually did feed on something.”

“I mean he has been more odd than usual for a while, but this is new.”

Yunho stops in his step, confused “What do you mean?”

Now it is Mingi who seems confused “Come on, we all have seen how weird he gets around Y/N.”

“He hasn’t gotten any weirder.”

“The first night we saw Y/N, I thought this man would die from a heart-attack right then and there, and he’s been dead for a while.” Mingi elaborates, while leaning against the railing next to the river.

“He’s just shy around new people.”

“That was different. You of all should know that.”

It’s quiet between the two friends. Yunho does not want to agree. Want. Not that he isn’t able to. As if, he had made that same observation as well- As if, subconsciously, he had put some puzzle pieces together. But the possibility of it seemed too absurd and unexplainable to him.

“I mean, you guys know another much longer-” starts Mingi, wanting to emphasize once again that Yunho -of all people, should have noticed; but stops as another thought crosses his mind. “It’s okay if he told you and doesn’t want everyone to know. I’m-- I- I’m cool with that.”

“Mingi, he didn’t tell me anything. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s okay if you have to lie to protect his secrets, I get that. It’s okay.”

“Mingi.” Yunhos tone changed. It’s earnest, while also reassuring “You know I’m not lying.“

Mingi looks at him. His eyes big, knowing he started something he didn’t need to “Yeah, I know…” he admits with a sigh.

“You’re my best friend, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“I know I’m your best friend.” pouts Mingi “but you know him longer than me.”

Yunho crooks his head at him, asking without speaking. Are you jealous?

“Your bond is stronger than with me or the others.”

“He made me.” Yunho exhales. The obvious, everyone knows.

“And Hongjoong made me.” Mingi shrugs his shoulders “Still don’t have that bond with him as you guys have.”

There are so many responses that shoot through Yunhos head but “Would you have wanted Me to turn you?” is the one he chooses, with so much disbelieve, it chokes his chuckle.

“You could have.”

It’s silent between them. Shock reflects in Yunhos big dark eyes.

“I didn’t want you to become a vampire. Neither did Yeosang. You had suffered enough.”

“And who was responsible for that suffering?”

Yunho freezes. His gaze becoming a glare. Nostrils flaring.

“I-m not mad about it!” Mingi adds, unexplainable genuinely and an equal amount of remorse ringing with it “They’ve been dead for so long, I often forget about them.” his gaze drifts away for a second “I mean, not entirely! But- … I mean how much do you still remember of your family?”

Yunho seems more eased now. Regretful. His gaze drifting into the distance- “I-... I faintly remember my little brother.” trying to catch a memory that has become too thin to fully grasp. “I- can’t remember his face anymore,” he stops and looks Mingi again. Sweet and caring. “Only that you remind me of him.”

Mingi laughs. He wholeheartedly and loudly laughs “I do Not remind you of your brother! I know that!”

“A little!” admits Yunho, laughing as well. “You are not one of the eldest, you are a maknae.”

“I still had two younger ones!”

“Right!” Yunho remembers again. “I somehow stick more to your five older brothers.”

Mingi shakes his head “Eight, is a big amount of kids man...”

“Your parents loved each other very much, I guess.”

“They did.” chuckles Mingi, for a moment. Then it falls silent between them again.“I would have never thought for all of us to end up together like this.”

“Are you really not mad? It’s okay if you are. It was—” Yunho takes a deep breath in memory “A really messed up time.”

“It was.” Mingi nods. “And I’m not. Well- Maybe a part of me still is, somewhere deep and hidden. But I also get it. And even though I lost seven brothers, I would never want to miss one of the seven brothers I have now.”

#1

Humanity never changes. It never has and it never will. The same desires. The same destiny. Time.

Time… A canvas with no beginning and no ending. Its colors fading as they are painted. Humanity could learn so much, if its minds would not fall victim to oblivion. Who will remember, if everyone fades? Their bodies. Their minds. The mind… The heart… Where does the soul truly live? Within one of them? Within both? Or does it surround all of our flesh? A coat making us move, dance, pray, cry and laugh; Making us do wonderful and the most utterly and unimaginable things. The most horrible of them all, is war. A horrible act. Bloodshed over bloodshed for nothing but ego and madness. No tongue, no mouth of genuine. And yet so simple. If you die, you die. You get killed, the other wins. Their legacy remains, while yours will fade away into dirt and ash.

Once upon a time, there was a family, residing on generous land. No kingdom, but grounds of lush woods. No king and queen, but no farmers either. Their grounds had been passed down by generations. They were known as the wolves, telling by their emblem: A gray wolf on dark blue background, framed red and golden, similar to the old kingdom they belong to; an emblem of a red sphere, surrounded by a golden crown.

A few generations ago, the emblem of this kingdom had been different. A red sphere as well, but with a harpy on top. But this was a long time ago. Since then, a lot has changed. A different age still remaining. The kingdom had expanded over the last generations, without any wars. Exceptional, isn’t it? Which is why this family, as all citizens of this kingdom found great pride and gratitude being part of such an extraordinary regency. The age of Sabhin was one of peace since her reign had started; And now, the time had come for the next generation to rule.

A mother and a father, still very much in love after so many years, sit in the dining hall of their outstanding and yet humble manor. Their breakfast in front of them. Their eight sons arriving one by one with more or less slumbering steps. As they all took their place, the mother pulls a paper from her long long fur-coat; Catching all her sons in one spot has always been a difficult task- this chance had to be taken: “Sabhins descendant has reached the age of marriage and is seeking for someone to take her hand!” she announces “They are inviting for a ball.”

“A ball??” the eight sons groan simultaneously.

“It’s tradition, you know that.” reminds their father.

“I’m not going to a ball…” exhales the second before calling “The two eldest shouldn’t get married to a descendant of Sabhins, they need to be in charge of this place.”

“Only one of us can do that.” reminds the third.

“Yeah, but there needs to be a spare if something happens!” clarifies the second.

“You really wanna be a spare?” the fifth raises his eyebrows skeptical.

“I’d be glad knowing you’d be there with me.” appreciates the first to the second. “I wouldn’t want you to be a spare, we’ll do it together.”

“Then I’ll go!” calls the seventh. “I’ll get married! Become a royal! And then rule over all of you!”

“You talk too much to live a royal life.” mocks the eighth.

“And you’re too sentimental.” reminds the third, gentle.

“I’m witty!” grins the seventh.

“You’re too loud.” calls the eighth, then pats the shoulder of the fourth next to him “What about you?”

“No, no! I’m too shy to rule.” he immediately waves of.

“But you are very strategic, you should get married to someone close to the royal family.”

“I said: No.”

“Mingi-!” calls the mother at her sixth son. “You are unusually quiet.”

“I’m too young too get married!”

“None of you is too young for that. You are all very much of age.” reminds their father.

“I don’t want to end up in an arranged marriage, when you got to marry for love!”

“Our marriage was arranged too.” reminds his father. “Just because you don’t know the person first, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to love them.”

“No one knows if Sabhins descendant will marry one of you. But this is an invitation, and all have to attend!” smiles his mother, gentle but persistent.

“I’ll die before I’ll marry a stranger.” groans Mingi while devouring his breakfast.

“I think he’d rather want to marry some of the-” starts the seventh, before he abruptly gets shut by the first, pressing a hand on his brothers mouth.

The parents share a gaze before looking at their sons again “Is there anything you want to share with us?”

“No.” they all answer simultaneously, before being certainly invested in focusing on their breakfast, while the second mumbles under his breath “This is exactly why you should never be a royal.”

Not the outcome the parents hoped for, but still better than nothing. Now that their offspring knew what was upon, none of them could hide from it. But until then, the brothers took on their daily duties. In pairs, they all rode off to their watchtowers. The first and second to the northern one, the third and fourth to the watchtower in the east, the fifth and sixth (Mingi) to the south and the seventh and eighth to the west. They were the closest to the northern border of Sabhins kingdom. And although within their borders remained peace, there was no guarantee of no intruders. There had been attempts to strike the kingdom, but the wolves have always defended it. Always.

The watchtowers are always occupied by guards. The brothers take charge of the day-shift, while the night-shift rests on the first floor of the watchtower.

Mingi and his older brother arrived at their designated watchtower a while ago. They have taken their usual spots, while the night-shift is now at sleep on the first floor. Everything had been silent, of course They were the south, nothing ever happened here, which made it kind of ironic that they (those with the strongest ‘build’ from all the brothers) were holding this tower.

“You really don’t want to contribute to Sabhins bloodline?” asks the older one eventually, while sharpening his battleaxe.

“What-? Why would I?” Mingi crosses his arms. Even though he is the second tallest of all the brothers, the piled wood of the beacon behind him, makes him look quite small.

“I think you’d like being a royal.” elaborates the older one “You’d get pampered even more than now.”

“I’m not getting pampered.” frowns Mingi, with big eyes.

“Sure, princess.” teases his brother.

“What about you? Do you want to be sold off to a royal?”

“No!” his brother chuckles and puts the grindstone aside “I’d have to leave all of you.”

“You would really miss us?”

“I’d miss all of you.”

Mingi eyes at him, skeptical. At least that’s what he thinks he’s doing. Instead, it looks more like a pout.

“Aaaahw… You don’t think I’d miss our baby princess?”

“I am taller than you! And stronger!”

His older brother chuckles, then offers Mingi, what he always does: A hand to shake. Mingi takes it, knowing what will result from it, as always, Always thinking that he’d be faster than his brother just this one time-; But just like now, his brother is faster. Mingi gets pulled into a headlock, like every, single, time.

“I can’t believe you’re still falling for that.” he comment, very calm.

“Yah! I’m bigger than you!”

“Then act like it!”

He does. Mingi does act like it. He manages to bring his brother to fall by kicking and destabilizing one of his legs. Both fall back, while Mingi frees himself from the headlock. Then, with a swift motion he grabs his brother battleaxe, intending to threaten him with his own weapon-; But he gets distracted buy just that weapon. He weighs it with both and even one hand- “Damn, I didn’t know it’s that well balanced.”

“You got your own pair of axes.”sighs his older brother as he gets back on his feet again.

“Yeah but you got the big one,” still very focused on weighing that big ax “I got the two smaller ones.”

“You’re pretty good with those.”

Mingi stops and grins proudly at his brother “I know.” before he pulls his own axes from his belt and hands them to his brother. “Let’s see how good we’ll do with the others talent.”

He stands there. His older brother just stands there, sighing tiredly “You can’t be seriously that bored, we just got here.”

“Come on! There’s never anything to do here…”

“Shouldn’t you have been busy last night to-” his brother stops abruptly and grabs the spyglass at the from his belt.

Mingi stares at his brother who freezes, as he watches gen north through the spyglass “What is it?”

“The beacon---” his voice hollow.

“What-?” Mingi asks, before his brother hands him the spyglass and he takes a look as well- North, to the watchtower of the eldest. It’s beacon, set alight in blue flames.

“We need to get to them!” calls his older brother, tossing the bottled pitch against the piled wood, then taking the torch next to the stairs and throws it against it as well- setting their own beacon alight “Now!”

Mingi doesn’t hear him. His stomach clutches, ears are ringing- This is my fault, crosses his mind, although he knows it’s not true.

“Mingi!!” his brother calls again, grabbing Mingis arm, pulling him back into reality “NOW!”

A moment later they are both on horseback, riding gen north, when suddenly- “East!” calls his older and Mingis gaze drifts over, spotting the watchtower, their beacon set alight. “West too!”

Mingi and his brothers answered to the eldest, calling for aid. What do we not do for the ones we love. What will we do if we lose them?

The eldest haste through the woods. Their horses running as fast as they can.

“We’re almost there!” calls the eldest “Their beacons alight! They will meet us there!”

“They’ll catch up to us! I’m not stopping!” yells the second born. The shock of what they saw at that tower, still in his bones. He focuses only on one thing: getting away from that tower as fast as possible. He is so focused, that he doesn’t notice how is brother comes closer, until it’s too late. His brother grabs the reins of his horse and makes them both halt abruptly. Not letting go of them, even as they have stopped. “What are you doing!” yells the younger one.

“We need company before we can head back. We need to get to the checkpoint.”

“You’ve seen it too! How can you-”

“We’ve been attacked before.” tries to calm the eldest.

“This feels different.” the younger one shakes his head “This is not the work of some bandits.”

“But we need to find out more about this-” he stops as he notices his younger brother doesn’t even look at him “Are you listening to me?”

The younger one doesn’t respond. He only looks at his hyung, focuses him, before then subtly eyeing into a direction behind the eldest, while his hand slowly reaches for the dagger at his belt.

The eldest halts. He wants to turn around and see for himself. But whatever it is, he doesn’t want to risk it. He waits. And waits-; Then, within a second, his younger brother pulls his dagger and throws it just past the eldest head. A crowing sound is to hear. “What was it?” he finally asks and turns around to spot something.

“A raven.”

“You freak out because of a bird?”

“People train them. Our family used to have wolves, did you forget?”

“I did not…” sighs the eldest.

“Not to mention what else it could have been.”

“The last of their kind sits to the right of the throne, protecting us all.”

“Yeah, you believe that Sabhin is thelast Fabel to exist in this big world.”

“You wanna search the ocean to make sure she is?” mutters the eldest, annoyed- then halts. Freezes. His eyes staying on a raven.

His younger brother notices- turns around without caution. The both see it. A raven, sitting on the closest branch to them. Its bigger than usual. Its brown eyes fixating them- In its beak, the very dagger, that the second had thrown at it.

A moment passes. Gaze so fixed on another, that, as the raven lets the dagger, the brothers wince. But nothing else happens.

“What do you want?!” yells the second brother.

An answer demanded, an answer is given. The raven spreads its wings and fans towards them. A harsh movement of air hits them- stronger than this unusual big animal should be able to. A suspicion, becoming realization with the brothers; That this is not the usual kind of trouble that bandits and other scum evokes.

The bird opened its beak, but no sound escaped. Not of itself. Not loud, at least not immediate. But they rose. Drums. Stomps. From all around them within the woods- turning louder. United!

The brothers looked around, trying to find something, to spot anything between the trees; Their horses already trotting on the spot- their nostrils blowing heavy and uneasy.

“I don’t see anything!” calls the eldest, his voice barely audible under the noise.

“What is this game-?”

Then- everything went silent again, dead silent, and within a moment, they both looked at the raven again. Its gaze still on them. Then, it opened its beak again and- A horrifying scream escaped it. Bringing their skin to shiver, their horses to shriek themselves and run in panic.

The brothers of the eastern and western just arrived at the checkpoint -the gates of their home in distance, but sight.

“What the hell happened?” asks the seventh, as the all meet at the crossing

“Where are they? They should be here by now!” the fourth looks worried gen north, searching the horizon.

“Why did you come here under blue beacons?!” shouts the third.

“Ask yourself that! Having blue flames alight as well!” shouts the youngest back.

Silence. They see the beacons of the others behind them- blue alight. But their own? Their own watchtowers, they haven’t looked back. But now. Turning around and- Blue. Deep blue beacons. All their own watchtowers now alight like the north.

“They’re here!” calls the fourth- relieved. For this moment.

The two eldest see their four brothers ahead. The firstborn slightly ahead.

“We made it-!” calls the second at the oldest, but as he looks ahead to him- At first glance he doesn’t spot it; Only feels, that something is off. Then he notices-; The distinctive shape- the shimmering metal of the handle--;

A scream-! The same scream from before, sounding, echoing screeching over the field-! A black shadow rushing through the air, then disappearing into the sky with crowing sounds and-;

They just arrived. Mingi and his brother made it to the crossing, arriving just as the eldest do. Relieve washes over him, seeing all his brothers alive, but- “No!!!” screams the second, stopping his horse in his tracks; And then he sees it. Sees his oldest brother falling from his horse.

What do we not do for the ones we love. What will we do, when we see them fade in front of our own eyes?

“Noo--- No, no, no no nonono---” begging words turn into crying whispers, as the second born holds his only older brother in his arms. The dagger from his very own belt, that he had thrown at that raven- now, struck through the back of the eldest neck; Cutting the airflow- blood running down his maw- spitting over his lips and spilling out his nostrils. He had feared that day to see his parents passing already but- Seeing his one older brother, the one who was always there with him, nonw choking and dying on his own blood, in his arms- “Don’t go-” not even begging could describe his shattered hollow voice. “Don’t go don’t go—” pressing his hand over the eldest neck, although he knows it’s no use.

The eldest looks up to him. His eyes big, urging to hold his gaze, pulling the hands away from his throat- then holding them tightly. It’s painful and frightening to choke on his own blood, he just wants it to be over. Not for himself but for his brother. And then-- His hands weaken and- and they let loose. It’s over.

Now, only seven heirs remain.

#2

It’s been a quite a while since Mingi looked at his own portrait. Not like it’s his families grave but-- Where his once-home was, is now a paved highway. The landscape still beautiful, although it changed partly too. He doesn’t got there.

“Are you really not mad?” he remembers Yunhos words “It was a really messed up time.”

“It was. And I’m not.” he remembers his own words. I’m not. I’m not. I’m not. I’m not. “But I also get it.” I get it… Do I? I do, do I? I do… Why?His eyes fixate on his portrait. On the wolves, hidden in the dark, only their eyes to see. They watch hi. They judge him. Do they?

His gaze drops. Drops to the wolves surrounding him, circling around him; one of them, sitting at his feet and letting him pet his head. So loyal. So trusting…

He could assign his brothers to each of those wolves. In the end, it’s them. He did assign his brothers to them. The one he pets, the last one that died. It’s easy. He had trusted Mingi, but--; It’s all so blurry now, suddenly, after all those centuries. Blurring his vision, tightening his lungs, clutching his guts-; His body is dead, how can he feel that?

His chest quivers as his sight turns red.

“Tzh-” he hisses and wipes his eyes clean from blood tears. This is ridiculous he thinks. … Ridiculous; As he is the one that rushes in his own room and locks it behind.

Usually his room is comfort, but now it feels hollow. Which is ridiculous with the big walk-in-closet he has. The 356 sunglasses he owns and never will properly use but finds them fashionable. What he seeks right now is not on display, anymore. A few weeks ago he put it all back in a suit bag. It felt too ‘heavy’ to look at. So instead -in that special illuminated section of his closet, hangs now one of his many leather jackets. It’s a nice jacket! But it’s not- This: well knit wool reaching to his feet, dark blue with gray branches and twigs embroidered.

It’s not ‘His’. It’s a replica. But every time he wears it, standing in front of the mirror, like now-; The gray hunting calf coat, with the black-silver wolf-fur on hood, shoulders and the hem at his feet… It’s as it once was.

Mingi had worn this before but now, a shiver runs through him as he spots himself in the mirror. His hair is- too modern for what he wears. He feels so different and yet the same in a way he can’t name. Does Yunho feel the same when he puts his attire on? Does he feel nostalgic? Remorseful? Somehow he had never asked his best friend -nor the others, this question. What would Yeosang feel, if he’d see his armor again?

He checks his phone: still half an hour before the sun will rise. An annoyed exhales leaves him, weighing heavier than he expected. This night had been so good and now- Now he wasn’t just feeling down, but ready to dive deeper into that heaviness. Something pulls him towards the gallery again, and yet just thinking of standing with all those portraits in the room -his portrait, squeezes his throat shut. He wants to be alone and at the same time he can’t stand being with himself right now. So listens- focuses, with the advanced senses of a vampire: apart from Mingi there are three others. Yeosang is in his room as well. He is alone, but the way he steps though his room, distinctive.

And then, there are you and Yunho, talking on the terrace. It’s casual and mundane. You’re talking about your car and that you’ll bring it in for inspection in the morning, oil-change included. Which brings Yunho to tell you how weirded out he was when he saw a car for the first time: “Imagine all you know is horses and carriages- wouldn’t that be a bit off to you as well?”

“Ah right- I forgot you’re at least—” you pause for Yunho to fill the gap with his age.

But “You really wanna know my age?”

“Actually, I didn’t care much about it two seconds ago, but now that you are asking like that-” you counter and bring him to chuckle.

“How old are you tho, Y/N? I can’t recall you mentioning it before.”

“You know it’s rude to ask a Lady about her age.”

“I’ll ask Seonghwa then. Or just check your ID.”

“You mean that fake-ID?”

Silence, for a moment, and Mingi bets Yunho is wearing the same surprised expression as he is right now. “It’s fake?” he eventually asks tho.

“You think I do this job, driving around with an actual ID?”

There is subtlety and then there is Mingi, whose curiosity brings him to forget everything and show up right in front of you on the terrace “Where did you get a fake-ID?”

“JESUS SATAN FUCK!” you curse, holding your hand over your fast beating heart “Gosh Mingi you scared the shit out of me!” you see him laugh and can’t do different but join him, as you then realize his clothes are different from when he left “Nice fit tho. Have you been shopping?”

“It’s-” Mingi notices Yunhos eyes on him as well and that his eyes are not as calm as they seem; That there is worry and remorse behind it. “Something from when I was still human.”

“Wow…” your jaw slightly drops “It’s incredible that it looks still so good, how did you-”

“It’s a replica, it’s not the actual thing.”

“Ahh,” you nod and look “It’s beautiful. What is that coat-? Leather?”

“Don’t change the topic.” he takes place right next to you “Where did you get that fake-ID and how old are you?”

“You’re telling me not to change the topic while trying to change the topic with just that sentence?” you raise an eyebrow at him while hearing Yunho chuckle. But instead of looking like he got caught, Mingi looks at you with his big boba eyes. “Persuading me with those eyes doesn’t work on me, you know that.”

“I’m not trying to persuade, I’m just curiously looking at you.”

You sigh and look over his shoulder to Yunho, who just shruggs his shoulders- not his responsibility. “Alright…” you sigh “The ID is from Pam, I don’t even ”

“You know Pam?”

“Yeah, I do. From where do you think your lost necklace, those several rings and those fancy sunglasses –just to mention a few, suddenly showed up again?”

“I don’t lose that much of my stuff, do I Yunho?”

“Well, Mingi, you are sometimes-- a bit distracted.”

“That’s a polite way to say it.” you comment, bringing Mingi to sulk for a moment but

“How did you get to know Pam?” his curiosity wins.

You’re about to debate which answer you’ll give him, as you notice someone standing in the doorframe, just like at the beginning of this night.

“I’m sure she made someone call you to pick up the stuff.” Yeosang, standing there all calm, in his certainly expensive black silk pyjama. “Right?”

“Uuh, yeah.” you nod, first slowly. Then continue looking over to Mingi again “It was some guy that works for her, idk his name, he didn’t introduce himself except for ‘This is I.Y.F, am I speaking to Y/N?’ and then I picked it up on the way here.” you explain and the two others nod.

Lying had become so easy. Not that you did it often, but in- certain moments. Even as you said it, it felt truthful. But somehow you get the feeling that Yeosang knows. It’s not that he looks skeptical at you. It’s the opposite. Or maybe you’ve been awake too long.

“We should get ready for the day,” notes Yeosang, his eyes looking at Yunho, and staying on Mingi a little longer than he wants “the others are on their way.”

Yunho gets up first, without any hesitation. But Mingi seems a bit reluctant. Indecisive. He knows Yeosang is looking at him. He feels his gaze on him. On his attire. And it feels sooooo-; He regrets putting those clothes on. He regrets not changing into something else before joining you and Yunho. He is mad that Yeosang has already been here. He-- … It feels suffocating and dunk in acid. Not his clothes, but Yeosang, being there.

“What do you think, Yeosang?” he eventually asks, turning his gaze up to him.

Yeosang is frozen. His eyes- Those remarkable, distinctive eyes, that once had pierced through Mingi; Had made him shiver and cry and fear- fear so terribly; Now, so different “That-” he gulps, as if he’d swallow a bunch of needles “tailor really did an exceptional job, Mingi.” he nods, tries to smile; Another painful gulp “It looks-”

“Just like then, right?” finishes Mingi and keeps his gaze on Yeosang. Gaze, a polite way to name it.

Sitting right next to Mingi you feel the tension he exudes. You’re not afraid of him, only to look at him. But eventually, you dare and, although you don’t know what any of those unspoken words are between them- it shatters something inside you. There is pain, regret, anger and tiredness in Mingis eyes, that weighs as much as hundreds of years. And Yeosang? His eyes are filled with just as much weight. Remorse. So much remorse.

The next moment, Mingi gets up without a words and walks past Yeosang, disappearing inside.

Yeosang is frozen. Standing there, just standing there. His eyes on the ground. Again you are afraid, to move, to say something. But seeing him like this- “Yeosang- I -” you halt and attempt differently; your voice even more cautious than before “Is there anything-”I could do?

Of course you ask. What do we not do for the ones we love. He lifts his gaze at you. I’d like to say it’s not your concern but that would not be as true as I want it t be. “No matter how far the past reaches, it will still exist, rightfully so.” he smiles apologizing. He won’t explain. “How is your finger?”

Your heart softens, clutches. You know it’s alright. “It’s fine.” you smile, small and soft.

“Good.” he nods appreciative. “I’ll be downstairs and wait for the others.” he excuses. You nod. “Have a good rest of the night and day, Y/N.”

“Sleep well, Yeosang.”

Something stings inside you, as you watch him leave.

His heart burning, clutching, as he steps down the stairs and takes place in his coffin. Closing it already.

#3

It doesn’t take much longer until the others arrive as well. You had made yourself busy in the kitchen- Hearing them enter the house and rushing downstairs. Hongjoong is the only one to see you. He tells you, everyone is home now and that he will close the doors behind themselves. He notices that there is something bothering you, but he doesn’t ask. You don’t want to talk about it, he knows. Therefore, you say your goodbye for the remaining bit of the night.

Your shift is over, time to head home.

No matter the weather, the ride is home is always something you enjoy. The rising of the sun at the horizon. The dim light, the morning fog… But now, you can’t enjoy any of it. You hadn’t gotten far, but as you see the edge of the woods, with the city to spot in the distance, you stop. No one drives this way, except you, so you don’t even bother to pull over. You stop the car and shut the engine. Your hands on the steering wheel- flexing them, watching your fingers stretch; Your eyes not looking away. Waiting, waiting for something to happen. You can taste it. The taste of earth in your mouth. You can feel it, cold under your fingertips- dirt, stones and roots; Around you, the cold, the tightness, inescapable-! But you did… Your vision flickers for a moment. Your fingers looking human but for that one second, as your brain makes you see sharp claws instead. Reminding you, as if you could forget.

How many years has it been since then? How long, and you still don’t know. Will you ever know? Or will you stay incomplete, like that burned portrait in the gallery?

**** ⏪ Chapter 1⏪ ⏩Chapter 3>>⏩

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A/N: Well, well, well.... Not me having the idea for this part since january.... It took me some time to figure out how I wanted the chapter to unfold. There is still more to Mingis story but it felt too revealing keeping it in this chapter.

Finishing/ Uploading this part did take some time, but oh the many ideas I had and have- It's gonna me More! I hope it won't escalate and will be able to keep it in a certain 'frame'.